Reaching new heights to help charity

From left, Hayes and Jarvis colleagues Stephanie Rock, Barbara Clark, Katie Parsons, Nick Wilson and Taylor Oliver on their last trip to Kenya standing against the backdrop of Mt Kilimanjaro.

Published:11:51Monday 15 August 2016

A group of intrepid fundraisers from Crawley-based tour operator Hayes and Jarvis are planning to reach new heights this September by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of its chosen charity, Just a Drop.

The five colleagues – Nick Wilson, Katie Parsons, Stephanie Rock, Taylor Oliver and Barbara Clark - decided to take on the challenge after visiting Kenya last year as part of a work trip.

During the trip they were fortunate enough to see first-hand how funds from Hayes and Jarvis’ last project for Just a Drop were used to build a rain water harvesting tank at Miangeni School.

They took part in a walk in the blazing heat with local children that would have walked it daily, just to ensure they had water for the day.

Hayes and Jarvis, which is based in The Atrium on London Road, Crawley, is the water aid charity’s longest standing partner and by summiting the Tanzanian mountain the group hopes to raise £10,000 to help fund future projects.

They are also the first group to attempt Mount Kilimanjaro’s 5,895 metres in aid of Just a Drop.

Hayes and Jarvis senior destination manager Nick Wilson said: “We were so humbled by the welcome we received in Kenya last year and that day changed us. It gave us a real understanding what local communities go through every day, just to get water, which in some cases isn’t even clean. It made us really appreciate the life we have here back in the UK and opened our eyes to how else we could further support Just a Drop. It was these thoughts that led the five of us into deciding to climb Africa’s highest point!”

The team is holding a number of fundraising events including a summer party for staff, bake sales and much more.

For anyone looking to support the team and help them reach their target, they can do so through the JustGiving page and to learn more about their stories and other Hayes and Jarvis projects here.

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